Medicine+Health

October 29, 2013

An artificial aortic heart valve designed by Medtronic to help those too frail for open-heart
surgery has shown significant promise in testing, including here in Columbus, the company said
today.

Results from a trial of the CoreValve were shared at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular
Therapeutics Conference. OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital and Ohio State University's Wexner
Medical Center participated in the research.

They study found that the technology -- which allows for placement of the valve through a
catheter -- reduced the risk of death and stroke when compared with the expected rate in those not
given a replacement valve.

The research included 471 heart-failure patients. This study did not include a comparative
control group.

The expected rate with standard medical therapy was 43 percent after a year, the research team
determined. Among those treated with the valve, 25.5 percent died or had major stroke after a
year.

According to study leaders, heart failure symptoms improved in most patients. Detailed results
of the study have not been published. About 8.5 percent of patients had a major complication a year
after treatment, according to Medtronic's release.

A similar product made by Edwards Lifesciences already is on the market.

October 21, 2013

A new poll of more than 1,400 parents shows parents want email access to pediatricians, and many
would like it for free.

The poll, by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, found that 77 percent
of parents said they would be likely to seek email advice for minor illness. Only 6 percent of
parents said they could currently email their childcare provider.

Parents reported a range of co-pays charged for office visits, from nothing to $30 per visit.
But about half of those polled felt any charge for an email consultation should be less than for an
office visit. About half said online consultation should be free.

October 01, 2013

Dana Engle has been named the new chief executive officer of Madison County Hospital, effective
Oct. 28, the hospital announced today.

Since 2007, Engle has been the CEO of the Rocking Horse Community Health Center, a federally
qualified health center in Springfield, where he lives. Engle also has served as senior vice
president of operations with Community Mercy Health Partners.